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May 8, 2011

G34: Red Sox 9, Twins 5

Adrian Gonzalez celebrated his 29th birthday with three hits, including his fourth home run of the year, a graceful opposite field blast off one of the left field light towers.

Jacoby Ellsbury also went 3-for-4, extending his hitting streak to 17 games. Kevin Youkilis reached base four times and scored four runs, David Ortiz had two hits, and Jed Lowrie had a two-run double. Shortstop Jose Iglesias made his major league debut in the top of the ninth, fielding Alexi Casilla's ground ball, and throwing him out to end the game.

Iglesias is the youngest player to get in a game for the Red Sox since Jeff Suppan in 1996, the youngest position player since Rich Gedman in 1980 and the youngest shortstop since Juan Beniquez in 1971.

Boston fell into a quick hole in the first inning, as Matsuzaka (6-5-4-2-4, 102) allowed three hits (two of them bloops to the outfield), a walk, and two stolen bases. After that inning, he retired 16 of the 19 batters he faced. Danny Valencia, who singled home two runs in the first, homered off the left field pole in the fourth.

The third-place Red Sox kept pace with the Yankees and Rays and are 4 GB both teams.

Matsuzaka's last start was eight days ago, on April 29, when he left in the fifth inning with tightness in his right elbow. He was pressed into service in the 13th inning against the Angels on Wednesday night, throwing 20 pitches, making him unavailable for his scheduled start on Friday.

Pavano pitched poorly last Sunday against the Royals (5.1-12-7-0-0, 88), and later smashed stuff in the dugout with a bat.

The Red Sox have summoned shortstop Jose Iglesias from Pawtucket, and the 21-year-old shortstop may be activated tomorrow, according to reports from the Globe's Peter Abraham, Sports Illustrated's Melissa Segura, and ESPN's Gordon Edes. Marco Scutaro has an injury to his left rib cage and may be placed on the disabled list. In 24 games with the PawSox, Iglesias is batting .253/.278/.253, with only two walks in 92 plate appearances.